EngineeringToolkit

Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation Formula

Describes the motion of vehicles that follow the basic principle of a rocket: a device that can apply acceleration to itself using thrust by expelling part of its mass with high velocity.

Formula

Δv = ve · ln(m0/mf)

Discipline: Aerospace Engineering. Result unit: m/s.

Variables and units

  • Δv — Velocity Change (m/s): Change in velocity
  • ve — Exhaust Velocity (m/s): Effective exhaust velocity
  • m0 — Initial Mass (kg): Initial total mass
  • mf — Final Mass (kg): Final total mass